Hazlewood Exemption and

Program Update

December 2009

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Purpose

To encourage Texas veterans and family members to pursue a higher education by providing an exemption from payment of tuition and most fees to eligible Texas veterans and their (eligible) dependent children and spouses.

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Hazlewood Basics

• Provides exemptions from tuition and fees (no deposit and student service fees) for 150 SCH; unlimited contact (clock) hours.

• Courses at public institutions that receive formula funding (distance learning course may qualify); school’s board may choose to allow exemption for other courses (non formula-funded; such as: continuing ed).

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Hazlewood Basics Continued• For qualified veterans who:

– served at least 181 days active military service (excluding training); – honorable discharge/separation or general discharge under

honorable conditions.

• For children and spouses of TX members of military :– Killed in the line of duty or died as a result of injuries/illness

related to service;– 100% unemployable due to service-related disabilities

• To use the benefit, vets or dependents complete the appropriate application; submit to institution.

New Eligibility Requirements for Veterans

Veterans must meet one of three requirements at time of entry into service:

– Resident of TX;– Designated TX as Home of Record on DD214;

OR,– Entered the service in the state of Texas.

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Eligibility Requirements for a Veteran’s Child or Spouse

Eligible dependent (child or spouse) of a member of U.S. Armed Services or Texas Nat’l Guard or Texas Air Nat’l Guard:

– Who were killed or missing in action;– Who died while in service;– Whose death is documented to be service-

related; or– Who are rated at 100% unemployable due to

service-related disability.

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Supporting DocumentationAppropriate Hazlewood application

Plus: a. DD214 for the veteran, orb. DD1300 for surviving dependent; or,c. a Rating Decision Letter for the dependent of

a qualified disabled vet.d. Ed Benefits letter (CH 33)

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Documenting UnemployabilityDocumentation available through VA RegionalOffice in Waco.

To issue a letter, VA requires a signed requestfrom the veteran. Website: www.va.govThis request can be faxed to their office at:

FAX: 1-254-299-9734Phone: 1-800-827-1000

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Types of Applications HE-V App packet for Veterans who have never

used the Exemption HE-D App packet for eligible Dependent

Children and Spouses who have never used the Exemption

HE-P App packet for Previous Exemption Recipients (Veterans, Children, and Spouse)

Note: All Applications must be submitted to the institution’s Veterans’ Education Office or Financial Aid Office

Legacy ActAllows veteran to assign unused hours to a child.Eligible child must be:– Biological, step-child, or adopted child, or

claimed as “dependent” child on federal income tax return (preceding or current year).

– Resident of Texas– 25 years or younger, unless granted

extension due to debilitating illness or condition

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Legacy Act ContinuedExample:• An eligible veteran who has never used Hazlewood has

150 SCH (School Credit Hours) to use or transfer to an eligible child.

• An eligible veteran who has used 50 Hazlewood hours would have the balance of 100 SCH to use or transfer to an eligible child.

Note: If a veteran is (technically) not eligible for HW due to receiving CH33, he/she may still transfer up to 150 hours (or the amount that is unused)

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Legacy Applications

HE-V must be on file at institution (proves vet’s eligibility)

TUHH App Packet for the Transfer of Unused Hours to Eligible Child

HE-T App Packet for a Child who has received Transferred Hours

Note: All Applications must be submitted to the institution’s Veterans’ Education Office or Financial Aid Office

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Database Login

For schools (via CB main website):https://www1.thecb.state.tx.us/apps/HSH/

For students (via Hazlewood Fact Sheet):https://www1.thecb.state.tx.us/Apps/HSH/students/

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Hazlewood Tracking of 150 SCH

• Schools report Hazlewood hours through the CBM001 (enrollment) reports each semester; code students as Hazlewood recipients.

Hazlewood on the Web

• www.collegeforalltexans.com

• Home /Get All the Facts /Paying For College /Types of Financial Aid / Exemptions for Texas Veterans (Hazlewood Exemption)

• Home/ Make A Plan/ For Military and Veterans /Exemptions for Texas Veterans

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81ST LEGISLATURE

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Hazlewood Changes SB93

– At time of entry into service, member must: – Be resident of TX, or– Designate TX as Home of Record, or – Have Place of Entry Texas

(replaces requirement to be “citizens of TX”)

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Changes SB93 continued

• Expands eligibility to spouses… • of veterans killed in line of duty, MIA or

100% unemployable due to service-related disability; and

• of National Guard Members killed in service of the state or US or 100% unemployable due to service-related disability.

• Spouses must be residents of Texas when using the exemption.

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Changes SB93 continued

• Establishes “Legacy” program:• Allows vet to assign unused hours to a child;• If first child does not use all hours, balance can be

assigned to another child;• Child must be:

– stepchild, biological,or adopted child or claimed as dependent (previous or current year);

– less than 26 (hardship extensions possible); and– meet FA satisfactory academic progress (except

for minimum hour per term requirement).

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Changes SB93 continued

• Stacking with federal benefits– To allow stacking, federal benefits that can be

used ONLY for paying tuition and fees may not exceed Hazlewood exemption value. Limits issue to Title 38, Chapter 33 benefits.

– Federal benefits for various costs including tuition and fees are not relevant.

– Combination Federal benefits for tuition and fees and Hazlewood may not exceed tuition and fee charges for the term.

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New Fee Charges SB847

• Extraordinary Cost Programs (54.203 (g))– All public 2-year institutions may charge

Hazlewood-students a fee for courses with extraordinary costs

– Extraordinary costs = tuition and fee costs that exceed the average charges; ex- flight training

– Previously, only community/jr. colleges were permitted to charge students for the fees associated with high-cost programs.

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New Waiver & Exemption SB 297

• Combat exemption from tuition only:– For dependent children (including

stepchildren) of US Armed Forces members deployed on active duty for the purpose of engaging in a combative military operation outside the United State.

– Child must be a resident of Texas or entitled to pay the resident tuition rate.

– Effective with charges for fall 2009.26

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• Waiver of nonresident tuition:– Member must be eligible for federal veterans

benefits– Applies to member, spouse and children

(including stepchildren)– Provide school letter of intent to make TX home,

and reside in TX while attending college– Child must be <=25, unless granted a hardship

waiver due to severe illness or debilitating condition 27

New Waiver & Exemption SB 297 continued

For More Information

On the web:www.Collegeforalltexans.com , Select “Contact”

By Email:grantinfo@thecb.state.tx.us

By Phone:Inside Austin 512-427-6340Outside Austin 1-800-242-3062, option 3, 1

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